Alanstrainor wrote: » What does your aunt want a laptop for? What model is the one above? How much is it? Have a read of the "how to get help on this forum" sticky and post back.
humaxf1 wrote: » To the OP: You could have a €2000 laptop versus a €300 laptop and Windows will still degrade at the same rate irregardless of the hardware spec. I wouldn't spend a big wad of cash on a laptop for doing mundane things. What if it got nicked? If it's going to be on the internet alot, run crapcleaner to dump all the temp stuff that builds. Keep Windows and the Antivirus software upto date. Linux...well that's another days chat ;-) For a start avoid Vista is you want hassle free 'ish' computing. Look for a XP downgrade option 2GB RAM for smooth running with multiple windows open (4GB is a waste) I'm not too up on CPUs and the numbering they use, but almost any dual core CPU today is good enough for a non techy auntie 80GB hard drives are a thing of the past and any laptop today has adequate storage space 6 cell battery for a "reported 3 hours running time" Yeah right!!! Integrated webcam is a nice extra Screen size...it's a personal preference Dump the supplied antivirus and run AVG FREE. I doubt she will be surfing any dodgy websites or getting dodgy email attachments Dump any MS Office trial... Install Openoffice for tying letters, spreadsheets etc etc. In fact, dump all the bloatware
Plambey wrote: » Cool, you'd reccommend goin with the 2gb ram yeh? upgrade to the 9cell battery? yeh i aint payin for that MS office stooff, its comin free so i'll leave it, she'll love it . so you think even if i downgrade a few things, ram, memory, screen size etc, she'll still b happy and squeeze one in for maybe €800 ish, still cool yeh? cheers for your advice.
humaxf1 wrote: » Vostro 1510 BASE Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5670 (1.8 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB) edit OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista & XP Media-English edit LCD 15.4" Widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with Anti-Glare Coating edit INTEGRATED WEBCAM Glossy Black without Camera edit MEMORY 2048MB (2x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel edit HARD DRIVE 250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit GRAPHICS CARD IntelJ Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 edit OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software edit PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery edi This is taken from the Business section of Dell (I've ordered from this and I dont run a company) where certain laptops have a XP downgrade option. Weighs in at €544+VAT and shipping (normally 50quid) Works out roughly 700euro give or take which includes the carry case and bluetooth.
Spyral wrote: » no viruses,
Spyral wrote: easier to use,
Spyral wrote: wont randomly decide to not work as often as a pc.
Spyral wrote: has stuff for photos and everything built in.
Spyral wrote: Its pretty noob proof
CiaranC wrote: » 1000 euro for a laptop for word processing and surfing the web for your Aunt. Are you nuts? Why dont you just take her cash and burn it. I just picked up a PIII 1Ghz w/512mb RAM laptop & installed Ubuntu for a non-techie mate. Its exactly as capable as a 1000 euro machine at running firefox and openoffice. It cost me 40 euro. At least buy the very lowest spec business machine from Dell. Even that is huge overkill.
